Tuscan Treasures

Day 1 London to Pisa, Italy.

Fly by scheduled flight to Pisa. On arrival transfer to the Grand Hotel Royal in Viareggio and check in. Meet for a welcome drink and dinner in the hotel this evening. (D)

Day 2 Vinci.

This morning we drive to Vinci, the town where Leonardo da Vinci was born in 1452. We will visit the Museo Leonardiano, Palazzina Uzielli and the Conti Guidi Castle which houses one of the broadest and most original collections devoted to Leonardo the engineer, the architect and the scientist, and to the history of Renaissance technology in general. After our visit we will make a stop at one of the Tuscan vineyards where we learn about winemaking techniques and enjoy a tasting of some of the wines with a light lunch before returning to our hotel. The remainder of the day and evening are at leisure. (B, L)

Day 3 Lucca.

This morning is free to relax at the hotel, take a stroll along the promenade or explore Viareggio. Early this afternoon we make our way inland to the lovely town of Lucca. Hidden behind imposing Renaissance walls, the city boasts delightful cobbled streets, handsome piazzas and shady promenades. Following lunch, our guided tour will include the Basilica di San Frediano, the Roman amphitheatre and the San Martino Cathedral, the most important religious monument in Lucca. We will also visit the Puccini Museum located in the house where the composer was born in 1858 and which has been faithfully reconstructed containing furniture and paintings which belonged to the family. Also see many documents and the Steinway piano on which Puccini composed some of his masterpieces. We will stop for an aperitif and some light refreshments before heading to the Basilica of San Giovani for a concert, Puccini and His Lucca, featuring some of the composer’s most beloved arias, duets and intermezzi performed in this intimate setting. Following the concert we will return to Viareggio. (B, L)

Day 4 Pisa & Torre del Lago.

This morning we will drive to historic Pisa. Long celebrated as a maritime republic and centre of learning, Pisa today offers visitors a delightful blend of Medieval splendour and quiet Italian charm. We will arrive at the Piazza dei Miracoli, the ‘Square of Miracles’, a breathtaking expanse of green lawn upon which rise three of Italy’s most celebrated monuments: the Cathedral, the Baptistery, and the iconic Leaning Tower. Inside the cathedral, a masterpiece of Pisan Romanesque architecture, we can admire the ornate pulpit carved by Giovanni Pisano and the exquisite interplay of light that illuminates the nave. A short stroll brings us to the circular Baptistery, renowned for its remarkable acoustics and the softly patterned stonework that crowns its rotunda. We will have some time to view the famous tower before we continue to Torre del Lago. Puccini originally visited the town in the summer of 1891 and in 1899 bought a house here where he wrote many of his works including La Boheme, Tosca and Madame Butterfly. Today we can explore the house which was his main residence until his death in 1924. Now a museum, it contains many of his manuscripts, paintings and furnishings as well as his Forster piano. Return to the hotel where the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure before we meet for dinner this evening. (B, D)

Day 5 San Gimignano & Siena.

Check out of the hotel this morning and drive inland through Tuscany’s wonderful rolling countryside to the Medieval town of San Gimignano. Known as the Manhattan of the Middle Ages for its iconic towers, step back in time as we explore the well-preserved Medieval village, the ancient squares and buildings, narrow and shady alleys and the soaring slender towers of this stunning town. In the centre we find the Cisterna, an elegant public fountain built in 1273. The square of the Duomo is the oldest part of San Gimignano and where we can marvel at the mighty towers of the Salvucci and simple, bare façade of the Collegiata, which is flanked by the Torre Grossa, and 13th century Palace of the Mayor. This area is one of Italy’s most prestigious wine regions, renowned for its exceptional red wines, including Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino. We will visit a local winery where we will enjoy a tasting alongside some local cheeses, cured meats and olive oil. Continue to Siena where we will check in to our hotel for a three night stay. Meet for dinner this evening. (B, L*, D)

Day 6 Florence.

A tour of Tuscany would not be complete without a visit to its capital, Florence. This morning we will drive north to this historic city which lies on the River Arno and is surrounded by gentle hills, olive groves and vineyards. Founded by the Romans, in the 15th century the city fell under the rule of the Medici family who later became the Grand Dukes of Tuscany. During this period the city achieved new heights of glory in art, culture, politics and economic power. It is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance and is possibly one of the most beautifully preserved and artistically rich cities in the world. Here, artistic treasures and architectural masterpieces of the past blend with ancient streets lined with elegant boutiques, peaceful parks, streetside cafés offering steaming hot espressos and pastry shops, with breathtaking views at every turn. During our walk we will see the Duomo, with its Brunelleschi Dome, Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Baptistery, with such beautiful doors that Michelangelo called them the ‘Gates of Paradise’. We will visit the Santa Croce Basilica which houses the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Macchiavelli. Our tour will also include the Uffizi Gallery, with its exceptional collection of Italian masterpieces where you can admire works by Botticelli, Caravaggio and Leonardo da Vinci. There will be a stop for lunch and some free time before we return to Siena later this afternoon for an evening at leisure. (B, L)

Day 7 Siena.

Our final day will have a more relaxed pace. After a leisurely breakfast join a morning walking tour of this enchanting Medieval city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with narrow streets, hidden corners and distinctive Gothic architecture. See the Piazza del Campo where the famous Palio di Siena horse race takes place each summer, the 13th century cathedral with its stunning marble mosaic and graffito floor and visit some of the charming neighbourhoods known as ‘contrade’, each with its own history and traditions. Following our walking tour, the remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to continue exploring independently or return to the hotel to relax. Meet this evening for our farewell dinner. (B, D)

Day 8 Siena to London.

Check out after breakfast and transfer to the airport for our scheduled flight to London. (B)